Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion Changes Commanders Friday Morning at Watervliet Arsenal

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Lt. Col. Henry Pettit

WATERVLIET , NY (10/03/2013)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Henry Pettit, a Schenectady resident, takes command of the Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion Friday morning during a ceremony at the Watervliet Arsenal.

He replaces Lt. Col. Steven Rowe who will take over the New York Army National Guard's Military Personnel Directorate, which is also headquartered at Watervliet Arsenal.

WHO: Lt. Col. Henry Pettit, the incoming commander of the Recruiting and Retention Battalion; Lt. Col Steven Rowe, the outgoing commander of the battalion, Major General Patrick Murphy, the Adjutant General of New York; and the men and women of the battalion.

WHAT: A traditional Change-of-Command Ceremony in which the colors, or flag, of the battalion will be transferred from Rowe to Pettit, signifying the transfer of responsibility and authority for the battalion. The men and women of the battalion are responsible for recruiting quality Soldiers to fill the ranks of the 10,000-member New York Army National Guard.

WHEN: 11 a.m. Friday, October 4, 2013. Media must be at the main entrance to Watervliet Arsenal No Later than 10:40 on Friday in order to cover this event.

WHERE: Post flagpole, Watervliet Arsenal, Watervliet NY

Coverage Opportunities

Members of the press will have the opportunity to interview the incoming commander, Lt. Col. Henry Pettit and outgoing commander, as well as Major General Patrick Murphy, the Adjutant General of New York. Video and imagery opportunities will include the exchange of the colors and Soldiers in formation.

NOTE: Members of the media must have identification to access Watervliet Arsenal. Press should call Mr. Jeremy Bratt at 518-272-6395 with names of those representing their media outlet.

BACKGROUND

Lt. Col. Henry S. Pettit

Pettit, a Schenectady Resident and a veteran of the War in Afghanistan was commissioned as a second lieutenant after graduating from the Empire State Military Academy's Officer Candidate School in 1993.

His past assignments include a myriad of leadership and staff positions to include Scout Platoon Leader, Rifle Company Commander, Battalion S1 (personnel), Battalion S4 (logistics) and Battalion S3 Air (operations), all within the 1-105th Infantry Battalion. During his tour with the 1-105th Infantry, he was also a First Responder to the World Trade Center attack in 2001 and assisted with the establishing military security forces stationed in NYC airports and Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant.

A graduate of Regents College, Pettit is also a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Infantry Officer Advance Course, Combined Arms Services Staff School and Intermediate Level Education (ILE) Common Core.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Pathfinder Badge and Master Recruiter Badge.

Pettit and his wife Susanne Leitch have two children, Jessica and Meghan.